TheTraveler

 

Of Castles and Future Queens: Hever Castle
By Erin Riordan

Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII, may have left her head at the Tower of London, but I’ll bet she left her heart at Hever Castle. You, too, will fall in love once you visit this 13th century childhood home of Boleyn. Our visit last April gave each one of us adults and kids (ages 2-11) a day to remember.

Thirty miles south of London, tucked away in the picturesque Kent Countryside, sits magnificent Hever Castle built around 1270. In the early 1500s, the Bullen (known today as Boleyn) family moved in, added a Tudor dwelling and lived here for over 50 years. The castle then changed ownership many times over the next 350 years until 1903 when William Waldorf Astor bought it. Originally from New York City, Astor relocated to England and was awarded the title of Baron from King George V. Astor’s life-long passion for art and sculpture prompted him to invest time, money and imagination in restoring his new home. He was also responsible for creating 30 acres of classical and natural gardens - the grandest being the Italian Garden which was designed to display Astor’s collection of Italian sculpture. The crowning glory of his plan is the 35-acre lake which took 800 men only two years to complete.

Meander around the spectacular grounds and be enchanted at every turn. In April, carpets of daffodils dot the landscape and camellias cover the walls. Take a stroll by early blooming tulips and along a cobbled path bordered by 100-year-old trees known as “Anne Boleyn’s Walk”.

Springtime in England can be “iffy” at best but weather permitting, bring a picnic
lunch and spread out on the massive lawn. Fortunately, on this day the cloudless sky was bright blue and we were able to soak in some of the rare sunshine.

Afterward, we headed to the “splashing water maze” located on Sixteen Acre
Island at the far end of the gardens. This mini water park delights all as both kids and adults run around happily squealing while dodging random blasts of water. Be sure to have towels and dry clothes ready and waiting. Later, we all got lost while navigating our way through the Yew hedge maze planted over a century ago.

Inside the castle, experience all the romance, conspiracy, danger and
intrigue of the time. Artifacts include many 16th century portraits, pieces of furniture and
preserved wall tapestries, as well as, two extremely rare prayer books signed and
inscribed by Anne Boleyn. Costumed figure vignettes in the Long Gallery add to the
atmosphere by representing various scenes from the period - the last one being Boleyn as
she prays prior to her beheading at the Tower of London. The gatehouse contains
recently acquired swords and armor which have been added to the already existing
collection of vintage instruments of execution, torture and discipline. This last display
was my 11-year-old son’s favorite.

On your way out, make a stop at the permanent exhibition “From Castles to
Country Houses”. These unique miniature reproductions are done to 1/12th scale and
depict English life from 1086 to 1901.

I have to confess. I’m an Anglophile. I’ve been to England many times and
love everything English from double-decker buses and Harrods to afternoon tea and The
Queen. But like Anne Boleyn, I may have now left my heart at Hever Castle.
The castle and gardens are open daily from March through November.
The splashing water maze is open April through October, weather permitting.

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